Revenue Modeling and Diversification

Houston Freedmen's Town Conservancy (HFTC) seeks a skilled business development and fundraising professional to help create a Revenue Modeling and Diversification Strategy that will guide the organization's long-term financial sustainability.

HFTC preserves and interprets the nationally significant Freedmen's Town Historic District in Houston, Texas—one of the most important post-Emancipation communities in the United States. Over the past two years, HFTC has experienced significant growth, including the opening of the Freedmen's Town Visitor Center, expansion of preservation initiatives, development of affordable housing projects, growth in heritage tourism programming, and increased national visibility.

We are seeking a volunteer partner to help evaluate our current revenue streams and develop a practical strategy for diversifying organizational income. The project may include:

• Reviewing current revenue sources and trends
• Evaluating opportunities for earned income growth
• Assessing membership and individual giving opportunities
• Identifying sponsorship and partnership revenue opportunities
• Developing revenue projections and diversification recommendations
• Creating a framework for measuring financial sustainability and growth
• Recommending implementation priorities for the next 3–5 years

The final deliverable will be a written revenue diversification strategy with recommendations, projections, and actionable next steps that can be implemented by staff and leadership.

Houston Freedmen's Town Conservancy exists to preserve, protect, and promote the history, culture, and legacy of Freedmen's Town while creating opportunities for education, economic empowerment, and community revitalization.

Freedmen's Town is one of the nation's most significant Black heritage communities and a living testament to the resilience, entrepreneurship, and self-determination of formerly enslaved people after Emancipation. Today, HFTC operates the Freedmen's Town Visitor Center, preserves historic resources, supports cultural programming, and works to ensure that this important story remains accessible to future generations.

A stronger and more diversified revenue model will allow HFTC to expand preservation efforts, enhance educational programming, strengthen heritage tourism initiatives, support community-based revitalization projects, and increase public access to the stories of freedom that shaped both Houston and the nation.

By contributing their expertise, a Taproot volunteer will help build the financial foundation necessary to preserve an irreplaceable piece of American history and ensure that the legacy of Freedmen's Town continues to inspire future generations.

HFTC is fully prepared to begin this project immediately and has strong support from staff and leadership. The project will be led directly by our Fund Development Manager, who will serve as the primary point of contact and implementation lead.

To support the volunteer's work, HFTC can provide:

• Organizational budgets and financial reports
• Strategic planning materials
• Visitor Center attendance and program data
• Membership program information
• Sponsorship materials and fundraising reports
• Grant funding history and revenue data
• Information on preservation, education, and community revitalization initiatives

We have already identified revenue diversification as a key organizational priority and are actively implementing new fundraising and earned-income initiatives. Recommendations developed through this project will be incorporated into annual planning, fundraising strategies, and board-level discussions about long-term sustainability.

HFTC is committed to providing timely feedback, participating in scheduled meetings, sharing requested materials promptly, and ensuring the volunteer has access to the information needed to complete the project successfully.